From dust unto dust …..my favourite catch phrase from the Bible to start with. But, not yet. Only from one Colony to another Colony for my extended stay in the world. We, as a family, pack
our bags and move to Sector 82A, Vatika Sovereign Next, from our abode of 25 years plus, at M-115. It was my first real home on civvy street after I hung up my boots in 2001. The family had shifted in 1998.
As I mentioned in the RWA article, alternate environments were induced by an over-efficient SCRWA EC, and consequent loss of snooping opportunity for Samvada. Hence the adieu to South City-I, a colony I have enjoyed living in for 25 years. It has grown exponentially and I have made so many new friends here. I have a few detractors too, but they are the fuel that feeds the fire within me … the fire to be satirical and wicked.
I have seen this Colony grow from a few houses to the present plethora of stilt plus fours. Made fantastic friends beyond the uninformed ones. Had memorable times. Difficult to mention every individual name. In my own tiny humble way, I have tried to be a community man, serving the RWA as GS for two tenures, and then being the social face of RWAs thereafter, with kind support from every EC.
The residents have always risen to my calls for compassion and we have sent approx. 30 Echo Van / Tata 407 loads of pre-used clothes, books, household items, etc. to NGO GOONJ till pre-Covid times. Many residents have responded to my calls for monetary assistance for medicines and stores for The Earth Saviours Foundation and other NGOs, thereafter. I have always received more support than I asked for.
One institution that I must bow reverently to is our Gurudwara Sahib. I remember walking in casually in 2005 one evening, when the Gurudwara was being constructed, and indulging in my first ‘seva’. At that time, we could barely sit 50-60 at a time for the Saturday night langar parshad. That chance ‘seva’ became an addiction. It gave me peace, it gave me new friends, it taught me extreme humility.
The Stray Moms and a few dads like Patanjali, Anuj, Kush, etc. You don’t have an easy job, feeding the strays, taking care of the ones in distress or accident cases, vaccinating and sterilizing, all at your own cost. Many of you spend quite a tidy sum from your own pockets. And a lot of personal time too. With the new laws promulgated in March this year, legally things may look better, but unless the majority of the Southcity-I residents are taken on-board, it is going to be a continuous human-animal and dog lover-dog hater conflict. In parting, I humbly appeal to all residents to be more compassionate towards the strays and all other animals.
My Samvada Team and the gentry who had to read my trash. Rejoice! A new self-styled Editor awaits in the next edition. The Top Guns perhaps got a whiff and appointed one even before I said goodbye …. that is the low level of credit one gets when one writes trash every month. Perhaps better knowledge, better English, decidedly better looks, more informed reading …. but definitely not better satire, await you in April. My ego would fall to pieces if someone can match mine. Just kidding.
Time to bid adieu. I have tried to look after the Colony’s extra-senior Forces veterans in my own small way. I sincerely hope someone will assume that mantle and continue to give them a regular tinkle to check on their well-being. We owe that honor and care to them.
I wish every resident fond farewell and happiness as a community. Always remember ….”in this Colony, there are no strangers, there are only people you have not yet met”.
God bless and be with you and your loved ones always. I am always available for any charity work (for that is my one and only chosen path). Just drop me a WhatsApp message on 9312247284. It will be an honor for me to respond. And if our paths cross, walk across and say ‘Hi’ and make my day. I am going to miss you folks.
I quote my quote, “Mei ahem tha! Yehi vehem tha!!’
Dasvidanya ….till we meet again!!
by Col Anil Alagh (M Block)
